TV PRESENTER and Bowdon resident Fred Talbot is to be awarded an honorary degree from Manchester Metropolitan University for services to the environment.

Fred, who is known for his Green Guide and for leaping around on a floating map on ITV's This Morning, will be made an Honorary Doctor of Science.

Fred will receive his honorary degree at the MMU Science and Engineering Graduation Ceremony at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on July 20.

Born in Edinburgh in 1949, Fred Talbot was brought up in Altrincham, Cheshire, and taught biology at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.

Fred was a founding member of the Altrincham and District Astronomical Society in 1964, remaining involved to this day, and co-discovered a meteor shower in June of 1966.

Beginning his career in broadcasting with the recording of an astronomy programme for radio, this work later extended into TV, where he presented news on Granada Reports. ITV Granada commissioned Talbot to appear in an educational science programme for children called The Final Frontier. He remained a regular reporter for Granada Reports and then worked as a TV weatherman for ITV's This Morning.

Fred was involved in ITV Granada's 'Big Challenge' environmental campaign in 2006 with the production of Fred Talbot's Green Guide. He is also extremely active in the environmental campaign Manchester Is My Planet, a campaign which encourages people in the region to reduce their carbon footprint.

He currently presents a series of regional interest for ITV Granada, such as Lock and Quays, occasionally reports for Granada Reports and regularly appears on CITV's Prove It!